GRAVE COAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 287, 23 August 1918, Page 5

GRAVE COAL CRISIS

FOCH APPEALS TO

THE MINERS

"THE KEY TO VICTORY"

SEVERE RATIONING OF

SUPPLIES

London, August 21. Lord Calthorp, Coal Controller, speaking at a. conference of the Minors' Federation in Southport, said the country was faced with a coal shortage of thirtysix million tons a year, lie hoped to save between eight million and nino million tons by means of rationing households in coal, gas, and electricity. Tho deficit could only bo met by rationing important industries not directly concerned 1 with war work, and 'by improved output. The privations of our allies far oxceeded ours. Tho coal ration in France for a family of fivo -was only twenty-eight hundredweight per annum. American troops were pouring into Franco, and this meant that America had suspended nearly all her coal deliveries. The Germans' straits were worse than ours, but duiriDg July we wero unable to fulfil our obligations to our allies and neutrals. The July output was 15,760,000 tons, representing a decrease of 3,300,000 tons compared with July, 1917; but July could not Iw regarded as normal, because fifty per cent, of tho miners in June and July wero absent for a week owing to influenza. Lord Calthorp read messages from Admiral Beatty, Sir Douglas Haig, and M. Clemoncean, urging an adequate supply of coa] as vital to the Allies' cause. General Foch telegraphed: "Coal is the key to victory. Miners of Britain, help me."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. DRASTIC REDUCIIOnInTRAIN SERVICES (Rec. August 22, 7.15 p.m.) London, August 21. With a view to economising coal,'there will bo a further drastic reduction in tho passenger train services after October, reaching 50 per cent, in the caso of holiday resorts.—Aus.-N.Z. CaMe Aesn.